Council to discuss Woodstock city manager finalists

WOODSTOCK – City Council members on Monday will discuss the two remaining candidates in a lengthy search for a city manager that could conclude March 5.

The process began last fall after Tim Clifton, who’s filled the position for 20 years, announced that he’d retire in April. The council won’t take a vote at Monday night’s special meeting, but instead will lay out the strengths of the two finalists in an effort to come to an agreement.

“That discussion should conclude in a consensus of development in terms of next steps, which will help us to focus on an individual or interest and the parameters of a potential employment agreement,” Mayor Brian Sager said.

Sager said he expects the Woodstock council to approve a new city manager’s employment agreement at the regularly scheduled March 5 meeting, a few weeks behind the original time frame.

Officials estimated that the city saved about $20,000 using an internal search committee, which selected and interviewed 10 applicants last year. The committee passed four candidates on to the City Council, which interviewed the candidates and cut the pool down to two.

“I am very pleased that the city council chose the process and methodology that we have proceeded through,” Sager said.

He added that he’s been happy with the quality of applicants.

“The city of Woodstock, the residents, would be in extremely fine hands regardless of what the final decision of the city council will be,” he said.